Maryland Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown has close ties to domestic violence after his cousin was murdered by her estranged boyfriend.

On Friday, he and other officials from the state and Baltimore County toured a new hospital-based domestic violence program established at Greater Baltimore Medical Center in Towson. The hospital has become the seventh in the state to offer a program to treat victims of domestic violence and help prevent further situations.

"We'll be able to train the professionals, doctors and nurses to be able to identify those who are victims of domestic violence, and, more importantly, to connect them to resources in the community so they can break that cycle of violence," Brown said.

The new program, funded by CareFirst and the state, will offer patients all types of services for victims of domestic violence, including sexual assault.

"We believe that reaching out to these individuals is a huge help for the community as well as getting these victims looped into other resources that are available," said Linda Kelley, clinical manager of GBMC's Sexual Assault Forensic Examination Program.

Six other hospitals have seen significant success in helping lower the domestic violence rate, including Anne Arundel Medical Center in Annapolis, Mercy Medical Center in downtown Baltimore, Sinai and Northwest hospitals in northwest Baltimore, Prince George's Hospital Center in Cheverly and Meritus Medical Center in Hagerstown.

Law officials said the program frequently helps to stop domestic violence cases before they escalate and reach a courtroom.

"If we can intercede at that early time, maybe we can prevent a more serious crime from happening in the future," Baltimore County State's Attorney Scott Shellenberger said.

Brown said he hopes to one day see the program in every hospital where there is a need.

"I'd like to see the day in Maryland where every hospital has the resources to adopt this type of program," Brown said.